College of Texas Rio Grande Valley researchers just lately collected invasive Australian Redclaw Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) from the primary recognized website in Texas. From January to February, three Australian Redclaw Crayfish had been collected from an residence advanced pond that’s linked to a canal within the Brownsville Space.
Australian Redclaw Crayfish have been recognized on this location earlier than, there being a sighting again in 2013. That authentic sighting was a sighting of a feminine crayfish with a number of younger indicating that the species has been on this location for a while now. That is the second part of the crayfish within the wild within the US with the primary detection being in California.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Division (TPWD) Aquatic Biologist Dr. Archis Grubh surveyed quite a few websites in July in the identical space and located three extra of those invasive crayfish between the pond and a canal two miles away.
“We don’t know when these invasive crayfish had been first launched or how far they’ve unfold, however we do know they’ll have a unfavorable impact on native species and biodiversity,” mentioned Grubh. “Spreading the phrase about this invasive species and reporting sightings to TPWD may also help us higher perceive the place it’s distributed and doubtlessly take steps to assist stop its unfold.”
With each female and male Australian Redclaw Crayfish having been collected, the potential for replica is a priority. This species can reproduce prolifically, which in different nations makes it a preferred alternative for aquaculture and pet commerce. They develop fairly giant rapidly and are able to reaching as much as two kilos in dimension. They’re able to considerably altering the habitat and vegetation of waters and might outcompete smaller native crayfish. So the potential for harm to our native ecosystem is excessive.
Australian Redclaw Crayfish, are a prohibited unique species in Texas and can’t be legally bought, bought, or possessed in aquaria. It’s also unlawful to launch them right into a public waterbody.
“Launch of aquarium life is sadly a key means by which invasive species reminiscent of these crayfish are launched,” mentioned Monica McGarrity, TPWD Senior Scientist for Aquatic Invasive Species. “Nicely-meaning, uninformed aquarium homeowners typically launch their pets pondering they’re doing the perfect factor for them, but when they do survive, they’ll grow to be invasive and hurt the native aquatic species and ecosystem. Aquarium homeowners ought to analysis alternate options to aquarium dumping and assist stop introductions of the subsequent invasive species.”
Sightings of Australian Redclaw Crayfish needs to be reported to TPWD by emailing pictures and site info to [email protected].
